10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
4 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
4 / 0
Average Mileage:
86,167 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2000 BMW 323 transmission problems

transmission problem

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2000 BMW 323 Owner Comments (Page 5 of 11)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #139

Dec 132008

323

  • 66,151 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The automatic transmission failed on my 2000 BMW 323 wagon, after having traveled only 66,151 miles. The transmission will not go into reverse. I purchased the car as a certified pre-owned BMW in 2002 from winlsow BMW of Colorado springs, co. The car has always been garaged and professionally serviced. Following the reverse transmission failure, gault BMW of endicott NY (nearest to me now) offered that there were no "open campaigns" to fix the defective transmission and estimated (over the phone) that the repair would cost between $4,000-6,000 at their dealership. Gault BMW's service manager recommended a specific local independent transmission repair shop as a cheaper alternative. The repair cost me $3,246.18. I was without the use of the car from 13 Dec 08 to 14 Jan 09.

- Painted Post, NY, USA

problem #138

Mar 092009

323

  • 117,915 miles
I proceeded into a parking lot area. I came to a complete stop in front of the open parking spot and began to back into position when I determined that my vehicle would not operate in reverse. I parked the vehicle, turned the vehicle off, turned the vehicle back on and it would still not go in reverse. The vehicle operates normally in forward drive condition. Upon research of this matter, multiple complaints regarding this issue have been previously discussed.

- Indianapolis, IN, USA

problem #137

Feb 082009

323

  • 82,500 miles
The reverse gear of my 2000 BMW 323I wagon will engage only with no acceleration. Other gears work fine. Trying to accelerate while in reverse gear just revs the engine. Repair shop has told me that my reverse drum needs to be replaced which will require over 17 hours of transmission work - about $2500. I only have 82,000 miles on this car.

- Austin, TX, USA

problem #136

Feb 222009

323

  • 132,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I purchased a 2000 used BMW 323I with the sports package and steptronic. The reverse went out at 132K miles last night. I have seen a great deal of complaints and would like to recommend a recall. www.noreverse.org/complaints.html.

- San Jose, CA, USA

problem #135

Feb 212009

323

  • 132,000 miles
I have a 2000 BMW 323I with 132K miles on it. Like everyone else who's reported this issue, my reverse gear suddenly stopped working when I was trying to back out of my parking spot. No dash warning lights or any other audible indicators of failure. It was like the car was in neutral when I tried to go into reverse. Drive works just fine, but I am very disappointed in this sudden failure of the transmission.

- Signal Hill, CA, USA

problem #134

Feb 152009

323

  • 35,000 miles
Well known, yet unacknowledged problem with BMW 3 series' transmissions. The problem began with a failure to engage in reverse. The solution is total replacement of the transmission with a cost of over $5000.

- Chicago, IL, USA

problem #133

Feb 152009

323

  • 110,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I went to back my 2000 BMW 323ci into a parking spot and it acted as if it was in neutral.

- Atlanta, GA, USA

problem #132

Jan 222009

323

  • 61,000 miles
I was parked facing downhill in my 2000 BMW 323ci when I selected reverse to back out of my parking spot. The reverse gear did not engage and the car rolled forward unexpectedly striking the car in front of me. Fortunately, damage was inconsequential (a few scratches/scuffs), but had there been a person in front of me, that person would have been seriously injured. The reverse gear has failed completely and without any warning. My BMW dealer says the car needs a new transmission at 60K miles!

- Seattle, WA, USA

problem #131

Oct 172008

323

  • 67,000 miles
The transmission of my 2000 BMW 323I failed to reverse without any warning even through all the recommended maintenance service have been done.

- Palo Alto, CA, USA

problem #130

Sep 072008

323

  • 103,000 miles
Reverse suddenly stopped working on 2000 BMW 323I. After searching the internet for a solution, I discovered it is a widespread and common problem, thus my complaint. Such a know issue should involve a recall and, BMW, the company responsible should be compelled to remedy the defect in their product.

- Laguna Beach, CA, USA

problem #129

Jan 112008

323

  • 98,500 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

My 2000 BMW 323I has 98.5K miles on it. After working perfectly fine it has now failed to go in the reverse gear. It uses an automatic zf 5hp19 transmission. Upon taking it to a repair shop and talking to other BMW owners it seems this is a common mechanical failure in the transmission due to faulty workmanship. I service this car on a regular basis and take extreme care with it in all aspects. My complaint is in regards to BMW not issuing a recall on this product when it is common knowledge the transmission is faulty. The cost quoted to me from BMW is $5500. BMW has lost my business forever.

- Atlanta, GA, USA

problem #128

May 292008

323

  • 65,000 miles
Reverse transmission on my 2000 BMW went out with only 65K miles. I asked BMW if there was any record of this and they said none. I then found noreverse.org. This is a web site with over 1000 complaints of the same issue for the same part on the same cars make and model. BMW charged me $100 to look at the problem. Then gave me an est of $6K to $8K to repair it. They game me no other option.

- San Diego, CA, USA

problem #127

Sep 181997

323

  • 60,000 miles
Automatic step-tronic transmission reverse gear stopped working. This required a complete overhaul of the transmission. The transmission fluid is lifetime, and there are no service requirements. The transmission is original and was manufactured by zf friedrichshafen for BMW.

- Bridgewater, 00, USA

problem #126

Jan 022009

323

  • 72,000 miles
BMW 330I auto reverse gear failure gear box model zf5hp19 year 2000 w reg.

- Lancs, 00, USA

problem #125

Jun 012008

323

  • 87,000 miles
Reverse gear started not engaging and finally has given out completely. All other gears work fine and engage properly. Car has always been properly serviced and maintained. There are currently 93,000 miles on the vehicle, average for its' age. It is very frustrating to have to push this otherwise wonderful car out of our driveway!

- Ventnor, NJ, USA

problem #124

Jan 022009

323

  • 180,750 miles
The transmission on my 2000 BMW 323I seemed to be going out so I took it to my mechanic for maintenance but after 3 weeks it seemed to have the same problem. I looked it up and it seems that BMW cars have the same issue. I don't have 6000 dollars laying around to get a new trans. Now im afraid that mine would go out soon. And im wondering why BMW is not taking responsibility for their product, no recall", no help?, what's going on", I need answers.

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

problem #123

Nov 072008

323

  • 98,000 miles
1.I attempted to put my car in reverse in a parking lot that was completely flat. 2. the BMW 323I refused to go into the reverse gear, instead changing the car into the neutral gear. This is repeated every time I attempt to reverse. I must now push my car out of parking spots and avoid situations that would get me stuck. 3. I chose to replace the transmission with a rebuilt transmission. Otherwise I could have had the transmission rebuilt, replacing the broken clutch drum with a new clutch drum.

- Stevensville, MD, USA

problem #122

Aug 102008

323

  • 146,000 miles
The reverse gear of my vehicle became inoperative without warning. The vehicle was always serviced in accordance with manufacturer recommendations at the dealership. There were no indications or warning prior to the failure.

- Van Nuys, CA, USA

problem #121

Dec 202008

323

  • 118,000 miles
2000 BMW 323 ci will not go into reverse.

- Chesterfield, MI, USA

problem #120

Dec 122008

323

  • 54,485 miles
Backing into parking spot found that I could not go into reverse. Was stuck in the middle of a street! just got told that they need to replace the entire transmission for $6000. BMW no reverse problem.

- Chicago, IL, USA

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